by OpenCity Projects

Photo: Melanie Billark | Video: Matilde Ramos

At OpenCity, we bring our experience design expertise to the classroom. As part of a partnership with OCAD University (Toronto) and ENSCI-Les Ateliers (Paris), we shared our unique Design for Diversity approach that treats culture as an asset when designing inclusive public spaces.  
 
Students spent time exploring Mississauga, one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities with residents from more than 100 countries. The Cooksville neighbourhood is in the process of transformation. Students were briefed on city plans for new transit, housing, commercial development and public spaces to support Cooksville's hyper-diverse community. Through research and site observation, students selected spaces with the greatest opportunity to connect people and create a unique sense of place.
 
Back in the classroom, we shared findings from our in-depth cultural research and stakeholder engagement conducted with Cooksville residents, First Nations people and city planners. These insights helped students to understand park users' lived experience, cultures and needs. Using our inclusive design approach as their guide, students identified the most relevant and compelling shared elements across different cultures to create innovative public space design solutions.
 
Watch the video below or check out the course website for more details about the workshop.